Coventry Visually Impaired and Sighted Tandem Association (Coventry VISTA, for short) is located in the Earlsdon district of Coventry. It was formed in September 1993 by a group of Visually Impaired people, "Stokers", who ride on the rear of the tandem, and Sighted adults, "Pilots", who ride on the front. These people rode tandems in the first Coventry Tandem Team Marathon, which took place in July 1993, involving riding 12 laps of Coventry's Inner Ring Road, the anti-clockwise section, which was closed for the occasion. These people enjoyed their experience so much that they wished to develop and share their interest in tandems with other Visually Impaired people.

OUR AIMS

To enable the Visually Impaired to discover and enjoy the pleasures of cycling. We promote and encourage Tandem Bicycle riding for both leisure and competitive interests
To create a social "fun" atmosphere whereby Visually Impaired and Sighted people can relax and enjoy each other's company, make friends and enjoy healthy exercise.

To encourage Family participation in all our activities

OUR ACTIVITIES

We have an active Rides Calendar. Rides take place mostly on weekday evenings but we also organise weekend rides, which can involve us in transporting both Tandems and Riders to more distant venues – for example Rutland Water. Evening rides explore the local countryside. In addition organised and individual tandem rides together with participation in special events are and can be arranged, see RIDES DIARY for details. We have our own equipment for the use of members, which is augmented by pilots who prefer to use their own tandems for club activities.
We also have a varied Social Programme, particularly during the winter months. Activities include Quiz nights, Speakers, Beer and Skittle matches and Theatre visits.